Vehicle control arm tool

ABSTRACT

The present invention 10 discloses a special purpose tool for removing control arms  18  from ball joint sockets  24  of vehicles  20.  The present invention comprises an elongated handle  22  consisting of steel tubing along with a front end piece  16  made from steel round stock being offset with member  30  from the handle  22.  Also a U-shaped bracket  28  is welded to the front end piece wherein the bracket has a hook  34  with a point  38  on the hook for contacting various structures of the vehicle  20.  The point  38  of the hook, the front tip  36  and the handle  22  all lie in a single plane so that the tool will not rotate and slip off the work piece. The present invention can also have variously shaped surfaces on the point  38  of the hook and the front tip  36  for contacting various structures on a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to special automotivetools. The device of the present invention is to be used as a specialpurpose pry bar. The handle consists of a one-inch steel tubing tominimize weight and flexibility. The front section is made by bending ⅞steel round stock to a specific shape. A hook shaped bracket is weldedto the front to allow the tool to be hooked on to the lower control armof various vehicles. Contact point of the hook, the front tip and thehandle all lie in one plane so the tool will not rotate and slip off thework. There are also curved surfaces to accommodate vehicles with roundcontrol arms. Once the front of the tool is engaged with the lower arm,downward pressure on the handle will pry control arm out of the balljoint socket so steering knuckle could be moved out of the way and theaxle could then be removed from the transaxle with ease.

[0003] If the vehicle is raised to the proper height, the presentinvention could be manipulated by tucking the handle under thetechnician's leg, thus allowing the technician to have both hands freeto move the steering knuckle and remove the drive axle. The length ofthe front tip is such that it would work on almost any passengervehicle, light truck or van.

[0004] The tool could also be useful in prying on the lower control armsin either the front or rear of the vehicle for the purposes of replacingthe control arm or ball joints.

[0005] The employment of this tool allows the technician great controlover the movement of the control arm, thus being able to easilymanipulate the ball joint stud in and out of the socket, without therisk of pinching fingers.

[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0007] There are other bar-like tools designed for manipulating workpieces. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 2,896,910 issued to Cooper onJul. 28, 1959.

[0008] Another patent was issued to Pulliam et al. on Aug. 2, 1977 asU.S. Pat. No. 4,039,140. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,136 was issuedto Thomas on May 2, 1989 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 8,1999 to Shaffer as U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,910.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,896,910 Inventor: Guy R. Cooper Issued: Jul. 28, 1959

[0009] The present invention relates to new and useful improvements intools for use by carpenters either in the erection or demolition ofbuildings. A hand tool embodying a wrecking bar and constructed at oneend with a U-shaped hook which projects laterally at one side of the barand which may be used for various purposes in engaging lumber during theconstruction or wrecking of a building.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,140 Inventor: Barron Pulliam Issued: Aug. 2, 1977

[0010] A tool for removing nails in the form of a bar curved to form afulcrum at its working end, which terminates as a short first forkedclaw. A second forked claw of intermediate length is fixed at a seconddistance from the fulcrum and a long third fork claw is fixed at asecond distance from the fulcrum with all forked claws being generallysimilarly curved and extending in the same direction from the bar. Thesecond and third claws are used to fasten about a nail head, which hasbeen partially lifted above the surface on which the fulcrum is rested,for complete removal of the associated nail.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,136 Inventor: Philip G. Thomas Issued: May 2, 1989

[0011] A lever type tool with an elongated handle, and a head having twoopposed and spaced apart claws projecting in the same direction at theopposite sides of a space to closely receive a portion of a rectangularcross section of a lumber member.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,910 Inventor: Danny Craig Shaffer Issued: Jun. 8,1999

[0012] A tool comprising a bar with a pair of teeth proved at one end ofthe bar and a handle portion attached at the other end of the barapproximately perpendicular to the bar. The teeth are spaced apart fromeach other in order to allow an end of a f-post clip to removably inserttherebetween. The teeth are approximately parallel with the handle andextend outward from the bar in a direction opposite the direction thatthe handle extends from the bar. The tool is used to twist the endsoft-post clips in order to secure the clips to fence wire to the t-post,or alternately, to remove clips therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0013] The present invention discloses a special purpose tool forremoving control arms from ball joint sockets of a vehicle. The presentinvention comprises an elongated handle consisting of steel tubing alongwith a front end piece made from steel round stock being offset from thehandle. Also a U-shaped bracket is welded to the front end piece whereinthe bracket has a hook with a point on the hook for contacting variousstructures of the vehicle. The point of the hook, the front tip and thehandle all lie in a single plane so that the tool will not rotate andslip off the work piece. The present invention can also have variouslyshaped surfaces on the point of the hook and the front tip forcontacting various structures on a vehicle.

[0014] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a specialpurpose pry-bar consisting of a hook shape welded to the front to allowthe tool to be hooked on to the lower control arm of a vehicle.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a specialpurpose pry-bar consisting curved surfaces to accommodate vehicles withround control arms.

[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aspecial purpose pry-bar consisting a hook shape welded to the front toallow the tool to be hooked on to the lower control arm of a vehicle.Also a pry-bar consisting curved surfaces to accommodate vehicles withround control arms with a length of the front tip, such that it wouldwork on almost any vehicle.

[0017] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide aspecial tool that will make front-end work easier for the technician.

[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide aspecial purpose pry-bar consisting a hook shape welded to the front toallow the tool to be hooked on to the lower control arm of a vehicle.Also a pry-bar consisting curved surfaces to accommodate vehicles withround control arms with a length of the front tip, such that it wouldwork on almost any vehicle. Also a special tool that will make front endwork easier for the technician.

[0019] Additional objects of the present invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

[0020] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior artby providing a special purpose pry-bar consisting a hook shape welded tothe front to allow the tool to be hooked on to the lower control arm ofa vehicle. Also a pry-bar consisting curved surfaces to accommodatevehicles with round control arms with a length of the front tip, suchthat it would work on almost any vehicle. Also a special tool that willmake front end work easier for the technician. Also providing a toolthat is lightweight and will eliminate flexibility.

[0021] The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear fromthe description to follow. In the description reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detailto enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and thatstructural changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference charactersdesignate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

[0022] The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be takenin a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is bestdefined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it willnow be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 is pictorial view of a technician utilizing the tool deviceof the present invention. The front of the tool is engaged with thelower arm, downward pressure on the handle will pry the control arm outof the ball joint socket so the steering knuckle could be moved out ofthe way and the axle could then be removed from the transaxle.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tool of the present inventionfrom another perspective view.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the present invention showingthe end cap, steel tubing, half round tip, and steel bar inserted intubing.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a frontal cross sectional view of the present inventionshowing the half round tip, the bracket and bracket tongue shaped to fitdifferent shapes.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a frontal cross sectional view showing the bracketscapabilities as it is shaped to fit different shaped objects.

[0030]FIG. 7 is a frontal cross sectional view showing the bracketscapabilities as it is shaped to fit an alternate object.

[0031]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention in operativeconnection with parts of a vehicle.

[0032]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention in operativeconnection with parts of a vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0033] With regard to reference numerals used, the following numberingis used throughout the drawings.

[0034]10 present invention

[0035]12 user

[0036]14 hands

[0037]16 front end piece

[0038]18 control arm

[0039]20 vehicle

[0040]22 handle

[0041]24 ball joint socket

[0042]25 lower ball joint

[0043]26 transaxle assembly

[0044]28 bracket

[0045]30 offset

[0046]32 weld

[0047]34 hook

[0048]36 front tip

[0049]38 point of hook

[0050]40 end cap

[0051]42 insertion point

[0052]44 constant velocity axle

[0053]46 arrow

[0054]48 steering knuckle

[0055]50 brake rotor

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0056] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it willnow be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate the present inventionbeing a vehicle control arm tool.

[0057] Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is pictorial view of atechnician 12 utilizing the tool device of the present invention 10 inthe hands 14 of the user. The front end piece 16 and U-bracket 28 of thetool are engaged with the lower control arm 18 of an elevated vehicle 20wherein downward pressure on the handle 22 will pry the control arm 18out of the ball joint socket 24 so the steering knuckle could be movedout of the way and the axle could then be removed from the transaxleassembly 26.

[0058] Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is a perspective view of thepresent invention 10. Shown is the handle 22 which consists of anapproximate 1 inch steel tubing which minimizes the weight andflexibility thereof The front end piece 16 is laterally offset from thefirst end of and the centerline of the handle 22 with a short section 30and is made by bending approximately ⅞ inch steel round stock. AU-shaped bracket 28 is transversly attached by welding 32 to the frontend piece 16 in order to allow the tool to be hooked at 34 onto thelower control arm of various vehicles. Also shown is a front tip 36 ofthe front end piece. The contact point 38 of the hook 34, the front tip36 and the handle 22 all lie in one plane so the tool will not rotateand slip off the work piece. Hook 34 forms one leg of the U-shapedbracket 28 and has a point or protrusion 38 disposed perpendicularly andinwardly thereon for gripping a surface.

[0059] Turning to FIG. 3, shown therein is a perspective view of thetool of the present invention 10 from another perspective view. Showntherein is the handle member 22 having an offset section 30 of the frontend piece 16 upon which is attached the bracket 28 having the hookmember 34 thereon. Also shown is the front tip 36 and the point of hook38 having different shapes to their structure whereby they canaccommodate variously shaped pieces of structure which might be found ondifferent vehicles.

[0060] Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is an elevation view of thepresent invention 10 showing the handle end cap 40, steel handle tubing22, half round tip 36, the rear part of the steel bar of front end piece16 inserted fixedly at 42 into tubing 22, along with bracket 28. Shortsection 30 is approximately 4 inches long being offset at an angle ofabout 80 degrees from the centerline of handle 22 and connects to therear of front end piece 16. Front end piece 16 is about 7 inches longfrom its rear to its front tip 36 being offset about 115 degrees fromthe centerline of short section 30. The point of the hook 38 is about 3¾inches from the front end piece 16.

[0061] Turning to FIG. 5, shown therein is a frontal cross sectionalview of the present invention taken from FIG. 2 as indicated showing thehalf round or concave tip 36, front end piece 16, the bracket 28 andbracket hook point 38 shaped e.g., concave, to fit different shapes.Weld 32 is shown along with a structural member of the vehicle, e.g., acontrol arm 18 is shown in phantom. The concave tip 36 and concave point38 oppose each other for gripping surfaces.

[0062] Turning to FIG. 6, shown therein is a frontal cross sectionalview of the present invention taken from FIG. 2 as indicated showing thehalf round tip 36, front end piece 16, the bracket 28 and bracket hookpoint 38 shaped to fit different shapes. Weld 32 is shown along with astructural member of the vehicle, e.g., a control arm 18 is shown inphantom.

[0063] Turning to FIG. 7, shown therein is a frontal cross sectionalview of the present invention taken from FIG. 2 as indicated showing thehalf round tip 36, front end piece 16, the bracket 28 and bracket hookpoint 38 shaped to fit different shapes. Weld 32 is shown along with astructural member of the vehicle, e.g., a control arm 18 is shown inphantom.

[0064] Turning to FIG. 8, shown therein is a perspective view of thepresent invention 10 in operative connection with a lower control arm 18before the ball joint 25 has been removed from its socket. Shown is thehandle 22 and front end piece 16 having force, as shown by arrow 46,applied to the handle 22 in order to remove the lower ball joint 25 fromits socket. The point 38 of the hook is shown contacting the control arm18. The constant velocity axle 44 is also shown.

[0065] Turning to FIG. 9, shown therein is a perspective view of thepresent invention 10 in operative connection with a lower control arm 18after the ball joint 25 has been removed from its socket. Shown is thehandle 22 and front end piece 16 having force, as shown by arrow 46,applied to the handle 22 in order to remove the lower ball joint 25 fromits socket. The point 38 of the hook is shown contacting the control arm18. The constant velocity axle 44, steering knuckle 48 and brake rotor50 are also shown.

What is claimed to be new and desired to be protected by Letters Patentis set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An apparatus for a pry bar forengaging structural members of a vehicle, comprising: a) an elongatedhandle for being grasped by a user, said handle having a first end and asecond end; b) a front end piece disposed on said first end of saidhandle, said front end piece for contacting a structural member of avehicle; c) an offset disposed in said front end piece, said front endpiece being thereby laterally offset from said handle; d) a front tipdisposed on said front end of piece, said front end piece having a rearend, and; e) a U-shaped bracket disposed transversely from said frontend piece.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handle is hollow.3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said handle further comprises aboutone-inch tubing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front endpiece further comprises about ⅞ inch steel round stock.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said rear end of said front end piece is fixedlyinserted into said first end of said handle.
 6. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said front end piece is laterally offset from the centerlineof said handle.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bracket iswelded to said front end piece.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a hook disposed on said U-shaped bracket, said hook formingone leg of said U-shaped bracket.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising a protrusion disposed perpendicular said hook, saidprotrusion for gripping a structure on a vehicle.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein said protrusion is disposed on the end of said hook.11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said protrusion is disposedinwardly on said U-shaped bracket so as to securely contact a structureon a vehicle.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said protrusion,said front tip, and said handle lie in the same plane so as to securelycontact a structure on a vehicle.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinsaid front tip further comprises a concave shaped face disposed thereon.14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said protrusion further comprisesa concave shaped face disposed thereon.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein said concave face of said protrusion and said concave face ofsaid front tip generally oppose each other.